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Sherlock Holmes

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson own the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street. Gemma takes care of the bookshop; Jayne runs Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room in the adjoining space. Gemma is one of those people who notices every little detail and can sometimes be annoying about it without understanding why. Jayne is a good contrast for her as well as being a great baker.

Five years ago, Gemma Doyle moved to New England from actual England to take over half of her Uncle Arthur’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop. Her uncle claimed to have a genealogical tie to the famous author, leading to a fanaticism that led to the purchase of a store on 222 Baker Street, West London, Massachusetts, for a bookstore devoted to all things Sherlockian.

In 1920, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini met sharing an interest in spiritualism. Doyle led the movement participating in many séances. Houdini was a professed skeptic, yet hid his true feelings about spiritualism and the afterlife. Their friendship continued for a few years, but a public feud about medium cases led to an ultimate breakup. FOX brings to television, with some literary license, a 10-episode first season exploring this relationship as the two men set out to investigate the paranormal: one wishes to validate as truth, the other wishes to debunk as fakery.

Sherlock Holmes. He has been portrayed by many capable and varied actors: classic Basil Rathbone, iconic Jeremy Brent, steampunk-style Robert Downey Jr., and contemporary Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch. However, a case can be made for another incarnation worthy of discussion. In 1981, HBO presented the 2-hour play Sherlock Holmes and the Strange Case of Alice Faulkner starring in the detective role…Frank Langella.

CAUTION: Spoilers abound.
Having had a bit of time to think about and see the latest Moffat and Gatiss Sherlock a time or two, I have to admit I like it now much better than I did initially. Somehow I had developed an unrealistic yearning to spend the whole action of the story in Conan Doyle’s era, enjoying Holmes and Watson exclusively in their original setting, but I was ignoring the essence of what Moffat and Gatiss always do with Conan Doyle’s characters and plots.
They turn the stories around.

Another year has come to a close and the main reviewers of KRL have been asked to pick their top 5 books of 2015, but some of us couldn’t keep it to 5! Let us know if you have a few we haven’t mentioned you’d like to share about in the comments, and while you are here check KRL’s book review section for many more great books that may not have made it on the list!

If you are a fan of the BBC show Sherlock this is a must have book for you! If you haven’t seen the show yet, but are a Sherlock Holmes fan, there are fun things in here for you too-and shame on you for not having seen Sherlock! As a die hard Sherlock Holmes fan I can tell you that Sherlock is one of the best things I have ever seen!

“We don’t ask why certain classics have survived despite their styles passing into history. Certain books are meant to remain. Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie are among the authors who have successfully bridged the years,” said Lori Rader-Day, whose debut mystery was nominated for multiple awards.

You’re suspected of murder. Your alibi might be just a figment of your imagination–or so say the authorities. Another investigator appears to be interfering with you trying to prove your innocence. Your love interest and her brother, her father and two archeologists all have motives, but Scotland Yard stays focused on you. You’ve been in a pickle before, but a certain beekeeper has always saved your skin. So when another murder is committed and you, again, are the prime suspect, well even Sherlock Holmes may not be able to rescue you.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may not have been the first Scottish mystery writer, but he’s certainly one of the most well known. Doyle, who began writing short stories while studying medicine, eventually opened his own practice, but soon returned to writing fiction.

In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four, Mary Morstan arrived on Holmes’s doorstep seeking help solving the mysterious disappearance of her father, Captain Arthur Morstan. Upon her entrance to 221B Baker Street, Watson described her as having a firm step and composed manner.

Imagine Sherlock Holmes as a supernatural detective. Over 100 years ago, British author William Hope Hodgson created Carnacki, an occult detective who lives in a bachelor flat in London. Carnacki is called to investigate strange phenomena. The stories are narrated by Carnacki’s friend, Dodgson.

This week we have a review of Dan Andriacco’s latest Enoch Hale mystery The Poisoned Penman, along with a really fun guest post from Dan about Sherlock Holmes, who makes an appearance in the book. His post is called The Iconic Sleuth. You can also find details on how to win a copy of The Poisoned Penman and a link to purchase the book (a portion of all sales from this link go to help support KRL).

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KRL Adoptable Cat Coco is a 7 year old female Snowshoe cat. She loves to window gaze, but is no stranger to human affection. If you are looking for a very chill personality, look for Coco in our Sanctuary adoption center. If you are interested, apply today! Coco is available through the Cat House On The Kings.